Getting Smart on Crime

[daniel green]

After decades of supercharged incarceration rates, our bloated prison system is straining under its own weight, and policy makers are finally being forced to deal with the need to shrink it. According to a study last year by The Pew Center on the States entitled “One in 100: Behind bars in America 2008,” the prison population of the United States has nearly quadrupled over the last 25 years while the nation’s population has grown by less than a third. We now have more inmates per capita than any of the 36 European countries with the largest inmate populations, and our total number of inmates is more than all the inmates in those countries combined. This comes at a cost. According to a report published last month by the Vera Institute of Justice, an independent, nonprofit research group, $1 in every $15 from states’ general funds is now spent on corrections. That doesn’t work in a recession. Much of the rise in the prison population was because of draconian mandatory sentencing laws that are illogical — sociologically and economically.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/15/opinion/15blow.html?ref=opinion

[ABC]

In my opinion, its those lame drug laws. Let's legalize. regulate and provide treatment for drugs as we do alcohol and give Drug Prohibition the boot.

[Lady_Jean_La]

In my opinion, its those lame drug laws. Let's legalize. regulate and provide treatment for drugs as we do alcohol and give Drug Prohibition the boot.
Not to mention troops all over the world fighting a drug war. imo

[daniel green]

Not to mention troops all over the world fighting a drug war. imo

Where are our troops fighting these alleged drug wars? :confused:

[Lady_Jean_La]

Where are our troops fighting these alleged drug wars? :confused:

http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/node/57

Pretty much worldwide. imo

[daniel green]

http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/node/57

Pretty much worldwide. imo

Even that link doesn't say that.

[Lady_Jean_La]

Even that link doesn't say that.

Of course not. The drug war is huge and constantly changing. Study it for a year and you won't have all the answers. imo

[daniel green]

Of course not. The drug war is huge and constantly changing. Study it for a year and you won't have all the answers. imo

Your statement was, simply, false.

We do not have troops fighting drug wars.

[redundancy]

Your statement was, simply, false.

We do not have troops fighting drug wars.

So what?? If you don't mind me asking!! LOL!!!

[Lady_Jean_La]

Your statement was, simply, false.

We do not have troops fighting drug wars.
In my opinion, we have fought and continue to fight on several continents and several oceans. Interdicting, eradicating, training, observing, etc.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/cron/

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/590/afghanistan_drug_war

http://www.commondreams.org/views/083100-103.htm

http://www.fff.org/freedom/0601a.asp

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9252490

[daniel green]

Lady, those links show, very definitively, that we don't have troops fighting drug wars.

[Brentwood]

It is terrible that 1 in every 100 Americans are in prison. And our total # of inmates is MORE than all 36 European countries combined!

I think it is terrible that the rehab programs have been gutted. Rehab is cheaper than prision for drug offenders. As it said in op link “Put them in prison and make them worse criminals, or put them in rehab, possibly make them better, and save some money. Sounds like a no-brainer.”

[Lady_Jean_La]

Lady, those links show, very definitively, that we don't have troops fighting drug wars.

I disagree, many have died in this long drug war but you are free to see what you want. imo

[ABC]

It is terrible that 1 in every 100 Americans are in prison. And our total # of inmates is MORE than all 36 European countries combined!

I think it is terrible that the rehab programs have been gutted. Rehab is cheaper than prision for drug offenders. As it said in op link “Put them in prison and make them worse criminals, or put them in rehab, possibly make them better, and save some money. Sounds like a no-brainer.”
To many folks treat Rehab as a vacation to get the pressure off for awhile. They pack their books, bathing suits and charger for the event. Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous and other Twelve Step Programs work and Rehab is just a jumping off point.
They are in prison cause they got convicted of a felony.

[ABC]

Where are our troops fighting these alleged drug wars? :confused:
Why do you think Obama is sending Troops to Columbia?

[veracruz]

In my opinion, its those lame drug laws. Let's legalize. regulate and provide treatment for drugs as we do alcohol and give Drug Prohibition the boot.


Enforced treatment only works for some.

imo

[Brentwood]

This is what I think…

The majority of those in prison are the poor and uneducated.

The repubs have worked hard to make sure the divide from rich to poor would increase for decades, and it has (rich are richer, poor are poorer).

Those who are poor and uneducated are more likely to go to prison. More people in this category are people of color (because of unfairness in society). Also, there is less fairness for those of color, therefore convictions are higher for people of color. This results in more people of color in prison.

In my opinion, the repubs created a recipe for society that creates more crime. They also have the “throw away the key” mentality.

In times of great need, crime increases. That’s a fact. This economy is the fault of repubs. So the increase in crime is mostly their fault.

I do not see the repub's proposing any solutions....just NO.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

[ABC]

Yes the do commit crimes. Their crimes are looked at with meaner views, imo. They are also given harsher and longer sentences as are the poor who are now doing time.

Bentwood is correct in the post above. There are many possible rahabs that could be used such as community service that would include helping in hospitals or morgues, etc.. Places where they could learn skills so they would/could be productive.

I disagree about a difference in the sentencing of different color folks. I do like the Community Service thing and teaching a trade. I thought we were going to have folks being trained by repairing the infrastructure and the old CCC Projects. I suggest we take care of the overcrowding problems in the jails sby letting all those with charges related to illegal drugs released immediately. Let's keep the jails for the murderers, rapist, and folks like that.

[daniel green]

Why do you think Obama is sending Troops to Columbia?

Heck, no. That is only Hugo Chaves mouthing off against the US, as per usual.

[Ahlou]

I disagree about a difference in the sentencing of different color folks. I do like the Community Service thing and teaching a trade. I thought we were going to have folks being trained by repairing the infrastructure and the old CCC Projects. I suggest we take care of the overcrowding problems in the jails sby letting all those with charges related to illegal drugs released immediately. Let's keep the jails for the murderers, rapist, and folks like that.

I agree to vastly disagree about the sentencing. I offer you should contact all of the many organizations, law firms, etc., such as The Sentencing Project - Unequal Justice - and such then let them know they should go out of business because there is No difference in sentencing.

I think we can also do what was done during the Vietnam era and before by giving an option of going into the military or jail. While there I still believe the draft should be brought back.

As for your wide paint brush of all others except drugs I disagree since I consider the pusher/dealer/supplier more responsible in their high places than is the lowly user in may ways.

[ABC]

I agree to vastly disagree about the sentencing. I offer you should contact all of the many organizations, law firms, etc., such as The Sentencing Project - Unequal Justice - and such then let them know they should go out of business because there is No difference in sentencing.

I think we can also do what was done during the Vietnam era and before by giving an option of going into the military or jail. While there I still believe the draft should be brought back.

As for your wide paint brush of all others except drugs I disagree since I consider the pusher/dealer/supplier more responsible in their high places than is the lowly user in may ways.

The Military is so sophiscated today and requires brains to run their stuff, they are no longer interested in uneducated folks and have not been for a long time. Thats how we beat the Russians cause their grunts were not capable of keeping up with our grunts and American military advances.
I do agree about the draft mainly cause the classes are getting more and more seperated from each other. In Israel, the do their three years as not only a way to protect the country but integrate the folks. would like to see it returned.
I disagree totally with the sentencing.
Well, then how would you clear the jails? Who would you put out? My answer is to legalize, regulate, and provide treatment as we do alcohol and forget the felonies. As far as I am concerned, anyone who wants to take drugs should and not bother the rest of us with Drug Prohibition. Let's use the money to educate and treat addicts.

[Lady_Jean_La]

Why do you think Obama is sending Troops to Columbia?

And Afghanistan to eradicate opium trade. imo

[gnm109]

This is what I think…

The majority of those in prison are the poor and uneducated.

The repubs have worked hard to make sure the divide from rich to poor would increase for decades, and it has (rich are richer, poor are poorer).

Those who are poor and uneducated are more likely to go to prison. More people in this category are people of color (because of unfairness in society). Also, there is less fairness for those of color, therefore convictions are higher for people of color. This results in more people of color in prison.

In my opinion, the repubs created a recipe for society that creates more crime. They also have the “throw away the key” mentality.

In times of great need, crime increases. That’s a fact. This economy is the fault of repubs. So the increase in crime is mostly their fault.

I do not see the repub's proposing any solutions....just NO.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion. Having said that, simply blaming crime, convictions and incarceratoin for their violation on the republican party is a stretch. If it makes you feel better to do so that's OK.

Its apparent that you've never dealt first-hand with criminals. They simply do not think the way that ordinary people do. They do not consider the consequences of their actions and apparently, they don't care about what happens when they are caught. They didn't learn that from any political party.

To blame on party or the other for crime is simplistic and unrealistic and does not go towards solving the problem. There are many poor, uneducated people who never commit crime.

Oh, and please don't ask me for a solution to the problem. I'm only a taxpayer. I help to pay for it.